Child Soldiers

Innocence Lost - Child Soldiers

Who are Child Soldiers

The internationally agreed definition for a child associated with an armed force or armed group (child soldier) is any person below 18 years of age who is, or who has been, recruited or used by an armed force or armed group in any capacity, including but not limited to children, boys and girls, used as fighters, cooks, porters, messengers, spies or for sexual purposes. It does not only refer to a child who is taking or has taken a direct part in hostilities.
 
(Paris Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with
Armed Forces or Armed Groups, 2007.)

Today there are an estimated 250,000 child soldiers fighting all across the world. Not all soldiers are on the front lines some are porters, cooks, messengers, sex workers, global propaganda tools, e.t.c . Nevertheless, many are still active soldiers on the front lines and many become suicide bombers. 




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